Olivia was strolling on the outskirts of the woods when a sudden weird sound came from a few feet away. She stood there for some time, contemplating whether to check for the source.
'Maybe it's the staff who collects dry branches?'
She was about to shrug it off and walk away when a groaning sound stopped her in her tracks.
'That's it. I going to check.'
As she followed the sound and got closer to the source, she could hear murmurs. Olivia frowned and picked up her pace. Dry leaves crunched under her foot as she made her way.
'It came from somewhere around here.' Olivia started looking around the thicket from where the noise came before going silent.
But she did not have to waste much time trying to locate as a loud yelp pointed her to the location. She followed it and came near a big pit about eight feet deep.
"Huh?" Olivia raised her eyebrows, seeing what was below.
Koushik was half lying at bottom of the compost pit, murmuring and clutching his ankle which was badly sprained if not fractured. Wet soil was stuck all over him and his hair was messed up with leaves and grasses. There was also the stench of the pit. He lifted his head, hearing someone's voice and saw a hazy figure through his tear-clouded vision. Wiping his eyes, he saw who it was — Olivia. He blankly looked at her for a moment, then became flustered from the realisation of his current state and looked away.
Not wanting to add to his discomfort, Olivia asked as nonchalantly as possible, "Can you stand?"
Koushik shook his head without looking at her. Always trained to look elegant in public, he was really afraid of catching a mocking look on her face seeing his pathetic state.
Thup.
However he only saw her jump down.
"Why did you do that?" He asked in shock.
The little chances of her pulling him up or calling for help was gone. Now both of them were stuck in the pit.
Olivia frowned and touched her nose. Although the pit had not been used recently, it still had some leftover, damp, semi-decomposed plant and kitchen wastes stuck here and there which gave off a foul smell. The floor of the pit was also wet and slippery.
'Probably because of all those rotten egg yolks.' Olivia thought, eyeing the soft, sunken ground below her feet.
She exhaled loudly and crouched down.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Koushik asked again.
"Getting you out." She replied as a matter of fact.
"Huh?" He stared at her with are you an idiot written over his face.
"Get on." She wriggled her fingers.
Koushik silently blinked for some time and then asked pointing at his face, "Me?"
'Who else is here?' Now it was her turn to look at him like he was the world's biggest idiot.
"Ahem. No thanks, I'll be fine after some time and get up on my own." He waved his hand.
'Damn it! Why did she have to come! Where are my friends when necessary?! I'm sure she thinks I'm a weirdo who does weird stuff in pits.' His thoughts started spiralling on how bad his impression was to Olivia.
Olivia gently touched his ankle.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHH."
'And you were saying you'll be fine after some time?' She raised an eyebrow at him.
'After that soft whisper?'
Koushik blushed and said, "What are you looking at? Didn't you say you'd help me out of here? Do what you were planning to."
Olivia shook her head at how quickly he ate his words.
She examined his ankle and thought of how to get him out, 'Hmm... I don't think he'll be able to get on my back. Even if he does I might hurt his leg while holding him'
Seeing her go silent Koushik spoke, "Oye, are you planning to back out now? Look, I'm sorry for trying to make light of my situation. I was just embarrassed and trying to act... umm cool. I didn't mean to sound dismissive of your help in case that's how it sounded to you."
He gulped, cursing his stupid mouth and pride. If Olivia left him there who knows when or if at all anyone else will pass by but to his relief, he saw her turn around.
"Arre, why are you coming closer? You don't plan to hit me right? I'm sorry for being rude.."
Olivia turned a deaf hear and scooped him up in her arms. Koushik was dumbstruck from being abruptly lifted into the air.
"..."
What just happened?
"Oyeeee!"
Suddenly realising that he was in her arms, he started flailing his arms and legs, "Wait! Not like this, I'll fall. Put me down!
Olivia frowned. But before she could tell him to stop, something else happened.
"Owwwwww." Koushik groaned.
He had accidentally knocked his already injured ankle against the pit. His eyes squeezed shut and teared up, and his lips pursed in a thin line from the sudden pain. Olivia swallowed the scolding, taking pity at his miserable condition.
She sighed and said, "Hold on tight,"
Koushik hugged her neck tightly and curled into a ball, afraid of any more accidents. Olivia walked near the wall, then pressing one leg against it she leaped and used the other leg to bounce up in the air. In a few such leaps she reached the edge and jumped forward and out of the pit.
"We're out," Olivia said breathing heavily.
Carrying both of their weight
'Damn it, the stench is strong.'
He slowly open one eye and then the other. After confirming that he was truly safely outside, he straightened up and heaved a relieved sigh. Olivia carried him to a nearby tree and helped him lean against the trunk.
"Thank you very much. If it weren't for you I don't know how long I would have been stuck there. And sorry for trying to act tough instead of accepting the help right away." He bowed his head.
Olivia waved her hand. It was understandable that he would not want to be seen him in a state that can ruin his public image which was an important part of his career. She then dialled a number and called for a wheelchair.
"You're allowed to make calls during school hours?" Koushik asked puzzled.
"In case of emergency, you can. But I'm allowed to do so in other times as well being the School Captain," Olivia shrugged.
"Oh!"
Since she was never seen to associate with any of the students' council members he actually had forgotten that she was the School Captain of Ketu.
"Wait, you mean to say that I could have called for help?"
Olivia nodded.
Koushik slapped his temple.
"Whom did you call?" Koushik asked.
"The school doctor," Olivia answered and squatted down. She carefully removed his shoes and examined his foot. 'The sprain is pretty bad.'
"Uh, Olivia," Koushik called.
"Hm?"
"Thank you."
Olivia looked at him with a puzzled gaze. He had already thanked her. So why again?
"If it hadn't been for you who knows how long I would have to be stuck there. Thank you for helping me." He smiled at her. Olivia acknowledged his words with a nod.
"And... sorry for dirtying your uniform." He looked at her uniform which was stained with mud here and there guiltily. Olivia waved her hand indicating it was not a big deal.